Guidelines for reading the snapshot
- All percentages are based on weighted survey estimates.
- Base sizes are shown as the unweighted number of respondents.
- All percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. As a result, there may be discrepancies between sums of the component items in a table or chart and the total.
- The research often asked about ‘the last six months’ – this refers to the period immediately before the data was collected. For the 2020 survey, this was from approximately December 2019 to June 2020.
- Some questions have been filtered depending on the respondent’s previous responses (for example, a question asked only of those who undertook an internet activity in the past 6 months). This is noted in descriptive language in the report and in this document ‘Base’ in the table notes. Care needs to be taken when interpreting the results, so that the data is read in the correct context.
- Some of the questions invited a multiple response, so total responses may sum to more than 100%.
- In some cases, ‘don’t know’ or other responses with only small levels of response are not shown – these are noted in the tables below.
- Categories with low sample sizes (less than n=100 interviews) are not shown.
- All results shown have been tested for statistical significance at the 95% confidence level.
- Statistically significant changes/differences between groups are identified with red and green arrows as follows:
- green arrows: statistically significant increase to the prior year/other sub-groups at the 95% confidence level
- red arrows: statistically significant decrease to the prior year/other sub-groups at the 95% confidence level.
About the research
The digital lives of younger Australians snapshot provides insights about the attitudes and behaviours of younger people online (aged 18–34). It explores the nature of their online habits, which devices they use to stay connected and what activities they participate in, as well as their attitudes about technology. This research is part of the ACMA research program, which gathers evidence that informs our decisions as a regulator, and ensures we are up-to-date on market developments and consumer trends.
Unless otherwise stated, the data contained in The digital lives of younger Australians snapshot is from ACMA annual consumer surveys, collected from 2017 to 2020. This ACMA-commissioned research was undertaken by The Social Research Centre (SRC) using the SRC’s probability-based Life in Australia (LinA) online panel. LinA includes people with and without internet access – those without internet access or who are not comfortable completing surveys online are able to complete surveys by phone instead.
The methodology adopted for the consumer surveys was a mixed-mode approach, comprising online interviews with Australian adults and computer-aided phone interviews to reach the adult population who are not regularly online. The surveys were representative of the Australian population aged 18 years and over.
Table 1: ACMA consumer survey summary of key statistics, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
|
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total sample (n) |
2,277 |
2,107 |
2,067 |
2,009 |
|
Online interviews (n) |
1,965 |
1,842 |
1,824 |
1,913 |
|
Telephone interviews (n) |
312 |
265 |
243 |
96 |
|
Field work date |
16 May – 4 June |
14–27 May |
6–19 May |
9–21 June |
|
Average survey length |
19.7 minutes |
25.1 minutes |
20 minutes |
25 minutes |
Data from Roy Morgan Research, Single Source Survey is also referenced in this report. This data has been extracted from the Roy Morgan Single Source database for the 12 months to June 2020. All figures refer to 12-month periods. This is either to the end of June (financial year), or to the end of December (calendar year).
The data is based on interviews with Australians aged 18 and over conducted between January 2014 and June 2020. This is weighted to represent approximately 18.2 million Australians as at December 2014 and up to 19.8 million Australians as at June 2020 (see table below).
Table 2: Roy Morgan Single Source research sample sizes for Australians aged 18 and over in the 12 months to June for 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
|
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total sample (n) |
13,884 |
14,056 |
13,814 |
14,389 |
View more information about Roy Morgan population estimates.
Research sample sizes
The tables below show the annual consumer survey research sample sizes for the charts used in the report.
How do young people feel about technology?
Table 3: Research sample sizes for adults who agreed with the statements
|
|
Jul 2019 – Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
2,450 |
|
35+ years |
11,939 |
Base: Australian adults ages 18 and over
BK35Q5. Please say whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Computers and technology give me more control over my life. I go out of my way to learn everything I can about new technology. I’m worried about invasion of my privacy through new technology. I find technology is changing so fast, it’s difficult to keep up with it.
BK1Q4a. Please say whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. I’m worried about invasion of my privacy through new technology.
Source: Roy Morgan Single Source.
Number of and types of devices used to go online
Table 4: Research sample sizes for adults who accessed the internet in the past 6 months, 2017 and 2020
|
|
Jun 2017 |
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
425 |
346 |
Base: Australian adults who accessed the internet in the last 6 months.
QD5. Which of the following devices have you used to access the internet in the past 6 months, for personal use? Desktop computer; Laptop computer; Mobile phone; Tablet like an iPad; e-reader like Amazon (Kindle); Kobo; Portable games console for example a PSP or Nintendo Switch; Other games console for example Xbox, PlayStation or Wii; Television or Smart TV; Personal video recorder (PVR) such as Foxtel IQ, Fetch or similar device; Digital media player such as Chromecast, Apple TV or Fetch; Voice controlled smart speakers such as Google Home, Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod; Something else (Please specify); None/don’t use internet (EXCLUSIVE).
Source: ACMA annual consumer survey.
Smart devices connected to the internet
Table 5: Research sample sizes for adults who had used an internet-connected smart device and number of types of smart devices, 2020
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
261 |
Base: Australian adults who accessed the internet in the last 6 months.
QD7. Which of the following smart devices do you have connected to the internet? By smart devices we mean appliances and gadgets which can be connected to the internet, but excludes computers, tablets and mobile phones. Smart TV; Smart fridge; Wearable devices such as smart watches, or a FitBit; Smart lighting; Security cameras; Security system; Smart dishwasher; Heating or cooling system; Voice controlled smart speakers such as Google Home, Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod; GPS tracking tag or device; Something else (please specify); None (EXCLUSIVE); (Don’t know) / Not sure (EXCLUSIVE).
Source: ACMA annual consumer survey.
What do young people do online?
Table 6: Research sample sizes for activities done online, 2020
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
346 |
Chart base: Australian adults who accessed the internet in the past 6 months for personal use.
QD8. Below is a range of internet-based activities. Please indicate whether or not you have done any of the following in the past 6 months at home or elsewhere. See Table 6 for relevant response options.
Source: ACMA annual consumer survey.
How do young people use their mobiles
Table 7: Research sample sizes for adults who have a smartphone and use their mobile phones to connect to the internet multiple times a day, in the 12 months to June 2020
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
344 |
Base: Australian adults aged 18 and over who have a mobile phone.
QC1. Is your main mobile handset a Smartphone? Yes, a smartphone; No, not a smartphone; (Don’t know) / Not sure; (Refused) / Prefer not to say.
Source: ACMA annual consumer survey.
Table 8: Research sample sizes for adults who use their smartphones to connect to the internet multiple times a day, in the 12 months to June 2020
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
338 |
Base: Australian adults aged 18 and over who have a smartphone.
QD6. How often used device to access the internet in the past 6 months - Mobile phone. Relevant response; Multiple times a day.
Table 9: Research sample sizes for adults who used mobile-only connections
|
|
Jun 2017 |
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
2,183 |
2,450 |
|
35+ years |
11,701 |
11,939 |
Chart base: Australian adults aged 18 and over.
Source: Roy Morgan Single Source, in the 12 months to June 2020.
How are young people using apps?
Table 10: Research sample sizes for adults who used communication services for personal purposes by age group, 2020
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 |
346 |
|
35+ |
1,617 |
Chart base: Australian adults who accessed the internet in the past 6 months.
QA1. In the past 6 months, which of the following communication services have you used for personal purposes? Relevant responses: Used an app for messages, for example Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype; Used an app for video calls, for example Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype; Used an app for voice calls, for example Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype.
How many social networking sites or apps do they use?
Table 11: Research sample sizes for sites or apps used for the 6 months to June 2020
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
346 |
|
35+ |
1,642 |
Base: Australian adults aged 18 and over.
QA1. In the past 6 months, which of the following communication services have you used for personal purposes? Relevant response: Used an app for social networking, for example Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Table 12: Research sample sizes for social networking sites or apps used and average numbers of apps, for the 6 months to June 2020
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
292 |
|
35+ |
1091 |
Base: Australian adults who used a social networking site in the last 6 months.
QE2. What sites or apps have you used for social networking in the past 6 months? Relevant response: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Reddit, TikTok.
What are the video streaming habits of young people?
Table 13: Research sample sizes for adults who watched online video content in the past 7 days
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
346 |
|
35+ years |
1,642 |
Base: Australian adults aged 18 and over.
QF4. Which of the following have you personally watched in the past 7 days at home or elsewhere? Free-to-air TV not including catch-up TV or recorded content; Foxtel or other subscription TV channels such as Fetch TV not including catch-up TV or recorded content; Something you recorded from free-to-air TV; Something you recorded from Foxtel or other subscription TV channels; Catch-up TV such as ABC i-view, 10 play or 7Plus for free-to-air programs; Movies or TV shows for free over the internet; An online subscription service such as Netflix, Stan or Foxtel Now; Online pay-per-view services such as OzFlix, Google Play, iTunes; Other content on an online platform such as YouTube, including product reviews, vlogs, comedy/sketch videos excluding any video game content; Watched or played games online including e-sports and fantasy sports; None of these (EXCLUSIVE).
Table 14: Research sample sizes for adults who watched any video content and the average time spent watching in the past 7 days
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
315 |
|
35+ years |
1,545 |
Base: Australian adults who watched any video content in the last 7 days.
Note: FTA and subscription channels include FTV live or recorded, Foxtel or other subscription TV channels such as Fetch TV not including catch-up TV or recorded content.
QF5. In the past 7 days, how many hours have you spent watching each of the following? Please round up to the nearest hour. If less than 30 minutes, please enter ‘0’. If more than 90 hours, please record as 90.
What do young people listen to online?
Table 15: Research sample sizes for adults who streamed any music in the last 7 days
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
346 |
|
35+ years |
1,642 |
Base: Australian adults aged 18 and over.
QH5. Which of the following online services have you used to stream music in the past 7 days? This may include using apps.
Table 16: Research sample sizes for adults who have listened to a podcast in the last 7 days
|
|
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
345 |
|
35+ years |
1,640 |
Base: Australian adults aged 18 and over.
QH10. Have you listened to a podcast in the last 7 days?
Table 17: Research sample sizes for adults who listened to radio online in the last 7 days, 2020
|
|
Jun 2017 |
Jun 2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
18–34 years |
428 |
346 |
Base: Australian adults aged 18 and over.
QH8. Which of the following have you personally listened to in the past six months? Relevant response: Radio online via the internet, at home in a car or somewhere else not including podcasts.
Change in internet activities since COVID-19
Table 18: Research sample sizes for change in participation in online activities undertaken since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in March 2020
|
Activity |
Aged 18–34 |
Aged 35+ |
|---|---|---|
|
Video conferencing or video calling via an app or web-based service such as Zoom |
265 |
1003 |
|
Studying online from home |
160 |
386 |
|
Watching video content online such as subscription services, catch-up TV, live streaming, or YouTube |
337 |
1,374 |
|
Buying goods or services online |
313 |
1,319 |
|
General web browsing or researching online |
340 |
1,547 |
|
Posting or engaging in social media |
295 |
1,080 |
Chart base varies: Australian adults who participated in the corresponding internet activity in past 6 months.
QD17. Since the COVID-19 social and physical distancing restrictions were introduced in March 2020, how has your participation in the following activities changed or has it stayed about the same? It has decreased; It has stayed about the same; It has increased; First started this activity since March 2020; Don’t know; Refused.